PrecisionL

Interesting ... I am in the process of designing a simple Transfer Precision system for an old partner and decided to use: 1♣ - 2♣: (a) 5+♦, or (b) Balanced and 11-14 hcp 1♣ - 2♦: (a) 5+♣, or (b) Balanced and 8-10 / 15+ hcp Thus, 1♣ - 1NT is available for something else that fills a system gap. I have generated hands to look for problems, but none found yet - they usually appear at the table.

After wrong siding 1NT two times this week (Playing Precision with a natural NT positive as per Berkowitz-Cohen) for poor match point pair scores, I don't like 1♣ - 1NT showing diamonds in your posting (or 8-10 hcp balanced). The 1NT positive response should NOT be a hand that likely will play in NT and thus put the strong hand in dummy making the defense so much easier. Slightly better would be that 1♣ - 1NT shows a 5-cd or better Major. BIL uses it to show 5+ ♠. Reference: http://bbo.pigpen.org.uk/1c.php Other approaches are to make a 1NT response stronger, or artificial: (1) 1♣ - 2♦ response as 8-10 balanced (Meckwell like) and make the 1NT response natural but 11-14, or (2) 4-4 Majors as proposed by Timm in Precision Simplified, 2010, or (3) 5-4 in the Majors (C3 System, unpublished), or (4) Put balanced hands into one of the Major hands, 1♥ or 1♠ per Meckwell, or (5) Put balanced hands into the 2♣ or 2♦ response, or (6) Make-up your own treatment

Yes, 3♠ asking for 3NT if partner has a spades stopper. If partner does NOT have a ♠ stopper, then continue with 5♣? Does your system have a way to ask for aces without setting trumps? Partner could conceivably have an Ace.

I played the Hardy Scheme for 3 years, but the bids rarely came up, certainly not as often as in his examples from a tournament. Another scheme is Roman Jump Overcalls (giving up WJO). See the Overcall Structure on the web. There are several write-ups. http://www.fernside.com/bridge/TheOvercallStructure.html#TSOATOL

I vote none of the above! I use the Diamond-Major with two partners and find it works well at either pairs or teams. 1♦ = 10-15 hcp and promises at least one 4-card major. 2♦ = 10-15 hcp and 6♦ or 5♦ and 4♣ 2NT = 10-14 and 5-5 in the minors. More details: http://www.bridgeclublive.com/Include/Diamond.htm

PDI replaces forcing passes to create more possibilities to describe one's hand. We use Berkowitz-Cohen's scheme described by Sabine Auken in her book: I Love This Game (pgs. 161 - 164). The auction you describe: 1♣ (3♠ or higher by the opponent) is not a forcing auction and thus pass by partner is usually negative: No strength (otherwise he would X or bid). Thus, if responder passes, the 1♣ opener knows that responder does not have TO X strength, or suit strength (he would bid naturally). [unless you have some exotic method to deal with pre-emption.] PDI would apply in the following auction: 1♣ (p) any bid except 1♦ if playing all responses GF by responder (3♠ or higher by opponent: Now bids by the opener are complicated and depend how high the opponents have bid. Example: 1♣ (p) 1♠ = natural & GF (4♥) ? Pass = Asks partner to double (implies no fit) Raise = Minimum support - Added: 9:07 pm EDT Double = Good raise of partners suit (non-minimum) New suit = 1-suited hand 4NT = RKCB for responders suit Cuebid = Exclusion RKCB for responders suit Pass = asks partner to double, now a suit by opener after the X = 2-places to play

Middle, unless the middle card looks like low from Hxx lead, then top. Called Sometimes MUD.

Experienced Precision players have found that opening 2♣ with 6♣ without a second suit is superior to including a 2nd suit in the opening. It is true that 5M + 4♣ hands are difficult to show in the 11-15 hcp range. One solution is to rebid 2NT after opening 1M to show 15 hcp and this distribution. Hands with 4♦ are less of a problem and are opened 1♦ if you intend to show both suits (i.e.: ♠ x ♥ KQTxx ♦KQxx ♣Axx). Another approach (Ekebland - Rubin [edited]) was to give up weak two bids in the majors and have 2M = 10-14 hcp and 5M332 hands or a poor 6-cd suit without a void or singleton. Thus, if the major is never rebid it is only 4-cds and if it is rebid it is 6-cds. For a complete theoretical treatment [canape - added 6/15/12] see Ken Rexfords http://cuebiddingatbridge.blogspot.com/2010/03/modified-italian-canape-system.html

And everyone did what they thought was right in their own mind ... The opening 2♣ bidder is best suited to decide if his/her bids are legal and reasonable .... Are the inmates running the ACBL? I STAND CORRECTED (1992 ACBL Score, hmmm), but Marty Bergen (2008) thinks otherwise ... Marty Bergen (the wild pre-emptor) in Chapter 4 of Slam Bidding Made Easier: The Bergen Gold Standard for opening 2♣: (a) If the hand is balanced (4333 or 4432) open 2♣ only if you have 22 hcp. Opener intends to rebid 2NT (b) If the hand is semi-balanced (5332) or unbalanced only open if the hand has 4 or fewer losers and the hand also has 4 or more quick tricks. Note: If you have only 4-losers, then you have 9 winners. Does that sound familiar?

Food for the critics: Marty Bergen (the wild pre-emptor) in Chapter 4 of Slam Bidding Made Easier (2008): The Bergen Gold Standard for opening 2♣: (a) If the hand is balanced (4333 or 4432) open 2♣ only if you have 22 hcp. Opener intends to rebid 2NT (b) If the hand is semi-balanced (5332) or unbalanced only open if the hand has 4 or fewer losers and the hand also has 4 or more quick tricks. Note: If you have only 4-losers, then you have 9 winners. Does that sound familiar?

Yes it is an illegal agreement. We had a similar argument with ACBL a few years ago about how low in hcp can a Precision 1♣ opening be allowed. The 'rule of thumb' stated by Mike Flader was about a Q less if compensated for by length in the assumed trump suit. The current Duplicate Decisions published by ACBL, 2008: A Club Director's Guide for Ruling at the Table: A Deviation (Q in hcp and no more than 1-card less than promised) is allowed, but greater variance than this is a PSYCH: A deliberate and gross misstatement of honor strength or suit length.

Well, if your 1♣ opening bid promises 15+ hcp and is forcing, then you can play Transfer Responses (i.e. The Millennium Club by Lyle Poe) in GCC events.

Jumping to conclusions wastes a lot of energy! :<) I am not the Club Manager. Stig Holmquist View profile More options Jan 10 2010, 5:46 pm On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:35:01 -0800 (PST), Will in New Haven - Show quoted text - Some time ago, don't ask me when, it was stated in the ACBL Bulletin, regarding the 2C opening bid, that it's not allowed holding a solid single 9-card or longer suit, because it has no defensive strength. Stig More arguments for and against: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.bridge/browse_thread/thread/4197f72ac5ae0651/2dc38ec56a9d29c1?q=2+club+opening&lnk=ol&

No one at our club would open such a hand posted with 2♣. Also, I teach that partner will make a slam try if you open 2♣ with that junk and he has 8+ hcp and an Ace or King or better. So, deceiving partner is the real problem and destroying the partnership is the consequence of being so loose in your agreements.

NO! It is an attempt to deceive the opponents, so ACBL would rule a psych. There has been lots of discussion on the internet about such hands. The 'old rule of thumb' was that the number of defensive Quick Tricks must equal or exceed the number of losers in the hand. There are 5 losers and only 2 quick tricks, so it does not qualify for a strong 2♣ opening. However, ACBL seems reluctant to issue any guidelines on this frequent question and the Directors end up using their own judgment. As a Club Director, I would rule that it is NOT a legitimate 2 ♣ opening and therefore a forbidden psych of a strong [artificial] opening bid. General Convention Chart - Disallowed 2. Psyching of artificial or convention opening bids and/or conventional responses thereto. ...

None! Try this web page for better method(s): http://www.rpbridge.net/7g72.htm

1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥ = (a) 4+♥, or (b) any 20+ hcp hand Now (following Cohen-Berkowitz scheme): 1♠ = 0-7 hcp and 4+ ♠ 1NT = 0-5 hcp and 0-3♠ 2♣(Artificial) = 5-7 hcp and 0-2♥ 2♦(Artificial) = 5-7 hcp 3♥ 2♥ = 5-7 hcp & 5♥ 2♠ = 3-5 hcp and 4+ ♠ 2NT (artificial) = 3-5 hcp and mini-splinter with 4+♠ 3♣(artificial) Mini-Splinter with singleton ♣ etc ... Questions are not clear, but with any 4441 hand 20+ hcp: 1♣ - 1♦ - 2♠ = ANY 4441, 20+ hcp, 2NT ASKS for the singleton 3 of a suit = Singleton in next suit and 20-23 hcp 3NT > 4♥ = Singleton in next suit and G.F. Reference: 4441 by Opener & 16+ Berkowitz-Cohen USBF 2006 Notes: http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=28

Another possibility if you do NOT have to decide what to play on trick one (win, duck, or signal): Place your card face-down on the table and then think about the defense after trick one and possibly announce your are planning the defense. My regular tournament partner and I announce that 3rd hand ALWAYS pauses at trick one to plan the defense!

Note to self: Redo Asking bids to include J on 4-4 fits ..... Whoops, I do have J showing in lower auctions, now where is that file?

I play 3 different Strong Club Systems. Our version of Millennium Club (15+ hcp) has non-forcing Major Suit responses @ 1-level: 1♣ - 1♦ = 0-8 hcp and 4+♥ 1♣ - 1♥ = 0-8 hcp and 4+♠ 1♣ - 1♠ = 0-8 hcp and no 4-cd major 1♣ - 1 NT = 6+ hcp and the Majors: 5-4 or better, or 4441 / 4414 1♣ - 2♣ = 8+ hcp, Artificial & Game Forcing with fit Also, American Forcing Minors had some semi-positive responses to their 1♣ hand.

Using Copious Canape Club: 1♣ (16+ hcp) - 1♠ (4+♥) & G.F. 1NT (Relay) - 2♣ (canape with 5+ minor) 2♦ (Relay) - 2♠ = 5+ ♦ 2NT (DAB) - 3♦ = 1=4=5=3 distribution 3♥ Beta - 4♣ = 4 Controls 4♥ - pass = poor fit and missing an ace or 2 kings

Loss of bidding space is more than compensated for by the exact description of responders hand. In some of the schemes the strength is divided into 2 or 3 ranges. Opener almost always asks for the singleton unless (s)he has a semi-solid or better suit playable opposite a singleton. In addition Opener has the option of using RKCB or Beta depending on his hand. In some versions of Precision the responses start at 3♣ or higher and don't displace any more important responses.

There are a number of treatments (all requiring a good memory for a 3% frequency): Precision in the 90s, by Rigal: 1♣ - 2NT = any 4441 hand, 3♣ asks for the singleton (bid it, 3NT = ♣) Precision in the 90s (Advanced), 1♣ - 2♥; Now 2♠ asks for 1-under the singleton This approach allows the bid of the singleton to be Beta for Controls and a 4-cd suit bid to be RKCB One Club Complete: 1♣ - 2♥ = 4=1=4=4, 1♣ - 2♠ = 1=4=4=4 8-10 and so on Danielson Precision: 1♣ - 3♣ = 4=4=4=1 or 4=4=1=4 & 8-11 / 15+ hcp 1♣ - 3♦ = 4=1=4=4 & 8-11 / 15+ hcp 1♣ - 3♥ = 1=4=4=4 & 8-11 / 15+ hcp 1♣ - 3♠ = 4=4=4=1 & 12-14 hcp with 4+ Controls 1♣ - 3NT = 4=4=4=1 & 12-14 hcp with 4+ Controls; and so on ....

Kathy Wei and Judi Radin's scheme appeared long ago in the book: One Club Complete (out-of-print). Rebids [edited 5/17/12 10 pm EDT] of 1M after 1♣ - 1♦ were 4 or more of the major and forcing for one round. Berkowitz and Cohen improved upon this scheme by having responder's follow-ons: 1♠(over 1♥) = 0-7 hcp and 4+ ♠ 1NT = 0-4 hcp & 0-3♠ [edited 5//27/12 2 pm EDT] 2♣ = 5-7 hcp and 0-2 card ♥ support 2♦ = 5-7 hcp and 3-cd ♥support 2♥ = 3-5 hcp and natural with 4-cd ♥support and NO singleton/void 2♠(over 1♥) = 3-5 hcp and singleton: 1=4=4=4 and other follow-ons.

Yes, these are all Midchart. I have no idea what defenses you should propose.